Ukraine Seeks Restart of Prisoner of War Exchange for 1,200

Ukraine is seeking to restart prisoner of war exchanges with Russia, aiming to release 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Security Council chief Rustem Umerov announced that consultations are underway with international mediators.

Zelenskyy stated that numerous meetings and negotiations are taking place on the matter. Umerov reported that he had talks in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, with Kyiv's support, to restart the process. According to Umerov, the parties agreed to return to the "Istanbul Agreements," which concern the release of 1,200 Ukrainians.

The "Istanbul Agreements" are prisoner exchange agreements brokered by Turkey in 2022. Thousands of prisoners have already been exchanged, but the processes have been disrupted due to the escalation of the war.

Umerov expressed hope that Ukrainian prisoners of war will be able to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families. The last prisoner of war exchange between Russia and Ukraine took place on October 2.